WEPL Glos/Wilts Division

Warminster (240-8) beat Rockhampton (239-4) by two wickets

FOR the second time in a fortnight, Rockhampton were undone by a freak match-winning innings.

Having won the toss, Rockhampton skipper Jack Spence opted to bat first and Will Tyler continued his rich vein of form with some early cover drives before his opening partner Rowan Cartlidge was caught at mid-off for just three to leave the visitors on 20-1.

Guy Brothwood initially found it very tough, whilst Tyler continued to find the boundary at the other end before softly getting out, caught at point for 37.

Brothwood and Matt Tyler batted through to 30 overs, moving the score onto 84-2 before they both decided to start freeing their arms with immediate success. Brothwood was dropped on 44 and shortly afterwards brought up his fifty from 96 balls.

Matt Tyler soon brought up his chanceless half-century off 74 balls and then went about taking the Warminster attack apart with a barrage of boundaries and three maximums as he struck 42 from the next 14 balls he faced before falling for a magnificent 92 from just 88 balls.

Brothwood then hit a huge straight six before falling for an equally impressive 90 from 133 balls.

In response, the Warminster innings didn't get off to the best of starts with Will Cartlidge removing Tristan Lundqvist, smartly caught at slip by Spence.

Peter Hickerton soon followed him back to the pavilion, falling to Chris Perry, before Will Cartlidge had Desmond Kruger caught behind for a duck to leave the hosts on 16-3.

Chris Perry was yet again the stand out bowler for Rockhampton, taking 1-16 from his ten overs.

Thomas Davie and Rory Cullinan put on a good partnership before the latter fell for 31, caught at slip by Spence off the bowling of Dave McCabe.

Richard Davie fell soon after following a smart stumping by Rowan Cartlidge off Hancox and then Thomas Davie (59) was brilliantly caught and bowled by McCabe to leave the score on 110-6 with just 15 overs remaining.

Enter the number eight Neil Dredge, who hit an incredible 91 not out from just 36 balls including nine maximums.

It was utter carnage as he took 28 from a McCabe over and 26 from a Hancox over.

Will Cartlidge (2-29) returned, Brothwood (2-68) picked up a couple in between and both Hancox (1-55) and Dave McCabe (2-72) had no answer to this incredible display of hitting from Dredge.

Dredge and Brown (3*) guided the hosts to a miraculous victory with nine balls to spare.

Rockhampton have now slipped to second, eight points behind new leaders Lechlade, and this Saturday host Gloucester City Winget at The Boundary Field, 1pm.